Copy of About Us with Staff/Board

MISSION

Energy Wise Alliance delivers cost-conscious energy efficiency solutions to the people of Louisiana to save money and help the environment.

ABOUT US

While we serve all Louisianans, we focus on underserved communities, providing residential energy retrofits for tenants, low income families, homes with poor solar potential, and people with moderate-to-low credit scores. Through DIY workshops, presentations to community groups, and building retrofits at schools, churches and nonprofits, we are transforming the energy profile of Louisiana.

STAFF

JAMIE WINE, Executive Director

Jamie brings 15 years of experience in nonprofit management, in New Orleans, Seattle, California and Boston. He has developed programs educating ocean advocates, traffic engineers, adults, families, youth and community organizers. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and Environmental Studies from University of California, Santa Cruz and professional certifications in building performance, leadership development, public speaking and real estate. Under his leadership, Energy Wise Alliance has grown 5-fold and is on track to become the foremost education organization working to alleviate energy poverty in Louisiana.

Emily Snyder, Education Manager

Emily joins us most recently from NORDC where she was the manager of outdoor programming. She earned her Master's of Science in Environmental Education from Nova Southeastern University, and has professional experience in a broad range of environmental education settings. She brings creative and innovative teaching strategies to our energy efficiency program. Balancing fun with education, she ensures we help create a culture of conservation for the next generation, all while meeting classroom teacher needs.

Brandon Muetzel, Outreach Manager

Brandon comes to Energy Wise Alliance after a long career in the restaurant and tourism industry. Before joining the team, he was in management with the Dickie Brennan’s family of restaurants, where he worked as the Executive Chef at Palace Café. He is proficient in Russian and has also studied German. During his career, he’s been the recipient of many awards for his work in the culinary field, and has even been a guest chef at the prestigious James Beard House. Brandon earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Art History from University of Iowa.

Kevin Kellup, Education Coordinator

Kevin joins Energy Wise after approximately 2 years with Propeller as Incubator Coordinator. He now coordinates our Energy Smart for Kids program during the school year, and our Summer Program in partnership with NORDC. He is currently studying International Business at Dillard University as a student in the Evening Program. Kevin has completed more than 4,000 hours of national service in different states, most recently serving with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) in the Pacific Region . He is a New Orleans native, and before returning in 2015, Kevin was a Team Leader with the Bend Energy Challenge in Bend, Oregon, a competition for cities in the US to be #1 in reducing their energy usage over a two year period. Kevin is excited to deliver energy efficiency programs to the people of Louisiana to save money and help the environment.

Sydney Doyle, Educator

Sydney graduated from Guilford College in 2012 with a BA in Elementary Education and a BS in Community Justice and Policy Studies. In 2014 she graduated with a Masters in Teaching and has teaching experience in grades K-12. She moved from North Carolina to New Orleans to pursue a career in environmental education and advocacy and is currently completing her year as a Tulane AmeriCorps VISTA with the Friends of Lafitte Greenway. She is excited to bring her passion for environmental advocacy and knowledge of teaching and community justice to the Energy Smart Program.

Logan Yates, Development Specialist

Logan graduated from the University of Alabama's New College in 2011 with an interdisciplinary BA in Music, Culture, and Community Engagement. He served as an AmeriCorps State Member with Impact Alabama in Birmingham, conducting eye screenings and running income tax preparation sites across the state for low-income families. Passionate about sustainability and community engagement, Logan apprenticed at Grow Dat Youth Farm where he practiced sustainable urban farming practices. Logan is excited to expand New Orleans' energy conservation programming through his work with Energy Wise.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JACK CARRERE

Jack has worked to unlock the incredible potential of energy efficiency in buildings across the country. He has designed innovative efficiency financing programs on the West Coast and was part of a team in Boston that grew an energy and sustainability services start-up from 6 to 20+ employees over a two year span. Through teaching simple energy saving techniques/behaviors, he believes the Energy Wise Alliance will have an immediate impact.

CLARE GIESEN, Vice President

Clare joined the EWA board because the brutal heat and humidity of Louisiana beg for workable energy efficiency programs for our state. Clare works for EWA because our programs save consumers money and benefit our environment. She has over 15 years of experience in clean energy policy-- including electric utilities, renewables and smart grid technology ,specifically as a legislative advocate. Currently Clare teaches Sociology at Delgado Community College and University of New Orleans.

JONNIE HONSE

Jonnie is a fund raising professional with 8 years of experience in the nonprofit industry, raising awareness and funds for small and large non-profit organizations. Her experience covers a wide range of fundraising areas including annual giving, major giving, endowment management, and fund raising research. Jonnie started her nonprofit career in New Orleans as the Membership Coordinator for the Young Leadership Council (YLC). She joined Touro Infirmary Foundation in 2013 as the Foundation Associate. From there she ventured into the consulting world, and eventually found her way back to the Touro Infirmary Foundation as its Director.

Jonnie has a B.A. from the University of Arkansas. Her volunteer commitments include serving as a committee member for Luke’s House annual fundraising event, Brass Bash, and assisting the Inaugural Beignet Fest as Volunteer Coordinator. She also serves on the the Tres Doux Foundation Board in addition to the Energy Wise Board.

JEFF KIEMEN, Secretary

Jeff is a Contracts Manager for UNITY of Greater New Orleans. A local nonprofit organization leading a collaborative of over 60 agencies providing housing and services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. Our mission is to coordinate community partnerships to prevent, reduce, and end homelessness.

SARA LEWIS

Sara an environmental lawyer, bringing her policy chops to bear to help EWA understand the larger context of our work.

JACQUES METEVIER

Jacques has worked in the solar energy industry, the hydrocarbon energy industry, and in plumbing. He's now a software developer and wants to help Energy Wise bring energy education and knowledge to all segments of the New Orleans population.

CHARLOTTE PIPER, President

Charlotte believes that targeted youth and adult educational programming is critical to making energy efficiency a top priority for Louisiana. Originally from New York and Boston, Charlotte has been in New Orleans since 2011. She began her work on energy issues while working with a local green business certification start-up company focused on empowering businesses and individuals to save money while going green. She stayed connected to the entrepreneurial community through her work at The Idea Village and New Orleans Entrepreneurs Week. After returning to school to study management, Charlotte is currently working at Ochsner Health System in strategy and engagement.

KIM WALSH

Kim Walsh is the School Health Coordinator at ReNEW Schaumburg in New Orleans East. At Schaumburg, she has written and received over $50,000 in grant money and donations to be used for school health, and managed the implementation of the grant. She founded and leads a school health committee that plans events and activities to increase student and teacher health and family engagement. She also has engaged community partners at the school, including NASA, the National Parks Service, Tulane University, Xavier University, New Orleans Saints, New Orleans Pelicans, Fit NOLA, The Green Project, New Orleans Sewage and Water Board, Evacuteers, First Baptist New Orleans, and Salads Galore. As an educator, she realizes the importance of energy educational programs in schools, and the impact of the programs for healthier communities.

A Teach for America alumna, she holds a B.A. from Grove City College in Grove City, PA. When not at Schaumburg, she teaches group exercise classes at Franco's on Magazine and teaches nutrition education classes for teachers through Common Threads.